One track running after Hoboken PATH train crash

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By abc7NY
HOBOKEN, NJ

Early Sunday morning a PATH train on Track 2 failed to stop and ran into the track terminus.

34 people were injured and were taken to area hospitals.

There were no life-threatening injuries.

Mayor Zimmer thanks all of the agencies at the local, county, state and federal level for their very prompt response to this incident.

At least 70 people were on the train at the time that it struck an abutment at the platform throwing the people inside.

Trains are now running with delays.

The /*National Transportation Safety Board*/ arrived on site Sunday night and is investigating.

Their investigation is expected to last several days.

The /*Port Authority*/ also sent an accident investigation team to the scene.

Spokesman John Kelly with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

But police say it appears that a mechanical failure is to blame.

U.S. Sen. /*Frank Lautenberg*/, Chairman of Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation called for the /*National Transportation Safety Board*/ to investigate the PATH train crash.

"The PATH train system moves nearly 74 million people a year and is a critical economic driver in New Jersey and the whole region. We need every assurance that PATH trains can serve our region safely and that is why I am calling on the NTSB to begin an immediate investigation into Sunday's accident. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and will work with federal investigators to make sure our PATH system is safe and reliable for the thousands of travelers who use it every day," Sen. Lautenberg said.

Meanwhile, the eastern entrances to the PATH platform, including the elevator, remain inaccessible.

Commuters requiring elevator service will not be able to access the PATH platform at Hoboken Terminal.

Due to the limited PATH service, commuters are strongly urged to consider alternate transportation options including bus, light rail, and ferry on Monday.

NJ Transit will be providing increased bus service for the morning commute starting at 5:30am on Monday on the 126 and 87 routes and will be cross-honoring PATH tickets. (njtransit.com)

NJ Transit light rail service from Hoboken Terminal, 2nd Street or 9th Street is available to Newport where commuters can transfer to the PATH for service to New York City, Jersey City, Harrison, and Newark. NJ Transit will cross-honor tickets. (njtransit.com andpanynj.gov/path/)

NY Waterway will have extra capacity Monday, May 9, for service between Hoboken and Manhattan to meet increased demand.

Boarding will be expedited by accepting cash in lieu of ticket purchase. From Hoboken Terminal, NY Waterway services World Financial Center and Pier 11/Wall Street. From 14th Street, NY Waterway services Midtown/W. 39th Street and the World Financial Center. (nywaterway.com)

Passengers on the train, which had departed earlier in themorning from New York City, said it had been a routine trip untilthey suddenly were knocked around by the impact.

"People were stunned, but nobody was really going crazy oranything," said Tom Gordon of Jersey City, who was riding in thetrain's front car with about 15 other people. "I didn't know whathad happened at first."

Gordon, who was headed home from his job as a security person ata New York City apartment building, said he was half-asleep as thetrain pulled into the station on track No. 2. But he was quicklyawakened and jolted from his seat by the crash.

He was taken to Hoboken University Medical Center for treatmentof minor arm and rib injuries and left the hospital Sundayafternoon with his arm in a sling.

"I just want to get home," he said while waiting for his wifeto pick him up.

Witnesses described the scene as the station as "controlledchaos," saying people were mostly calm but very concerned for theinjured.

Zimmer praised the efforts of emergency responders, bothfrom Hoboken and surrounding communities who answered their callfor assistance.

"Everyone did a great job," she said.

Allison Portney of Rockland County, N.Y., was walking justoutside the station to catch a New Jersey Transit train home whenshe saw many people slowly emerging from the station. The lastvictim to be removed from the scene was taken away on a stretcheraround 11:30 a.m.

"Most of (the injured) were walking, but they all looked prettyshaken," Portney said.

Updated information on service disruptions will beposted on the city's and Port Authority's websites.

Online:
hobokennj.org andpanynj.gov/path/

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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